Flexible shoe conformer



June 1962 J. s. KAMBORIAN ETAL 3,037,222

FLEXIBLE SHOE CONFORMER Filed June 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @572 W J enwler j *W 27 June 1962 J. s. KAMBORIAN EIAL 3,037,222

FLEXIBLE SHOE CONFORMER Filed June 7, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1/! /4 if 4 W Aw United States Patent M 3,037,222 FLEXIBLE SHOE CONFORMER Jacob S. Kamborian, 133 Forest Ave., West Newton, Mass., and Heinz W. Stemmler, Roslindale, Mass; said Stemmler assignor to said Kamborian Filed June 7, 1960, Ser. No. 34,564 21 Claims. (Cl. 12-82) This invention relates to shoe machines and particularly to an improved shoe conformer for the same.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved shoe conformer which will cause a shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the shoe last on which the shoe is mounted so as to eliminate any wrinkles or uneven surfaces on the upper prior to performing a subsequent operation, such as wiping, on the upper. In this manner, the finished shoe will not have any undesired surface irregularities but will have a desired degree of tau-tness.

Another object is to provide a flexible shoe conformer which will wipe the upper heightwise of the last when the conformer is relatively moved heightwise with respect to the last so that the subsequent wiping over of the lasting margin by end embracing wipers moving over the bottom of the last will not have to stress the upper heightwise of the last to any substantial degree, butwill merely fold the lasting margin over the shoe insole.

The invention is here illustrated in conjunction with a toe lasting mechanism having horizontally moving toe end embracing wipers. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is equally applicable in any organization wherein it is desired to cause a shoe upper to conform snugly to the shape of the shoe last.

In accordance with the invention, a toe conformer is provided comprising a yoke having a bight and legs extending away from the bight, the shoe being received within the yoke. Pivotally mounted arms are provided exteriorly of the legs of the yoke and resilient means are interposed between the arms and the legs of the yoke so that when the conformer is moved heightwise relative to the shoe the legs will yield and enable the conformer to conform snugly to the shape of the last. In addition, yieldable means are applied against the bight of the yoke to cause this portion of the yoke to conform to the shape of the last during the aforementioned relative movement. The pivotally mounted arms are adjustable so that they may be placed a desired distance apart in accordance with the size and shape of the shoe last.

In one species of the invention, support arms are provided which are connected to the legs of the yoke and are hinged at their opposite ends to a block yieldably urged against the bight of the yoke and to the pivotally mounted arms. This arrangement provides for a high degree of flexibility in enabling the conformer to conform to the shape of the last.

The conformer may be used in conjunction with a toe lasting machine having horizontally moving wipers and a vertically moving shoe support, the conformer being located beneath the wipers and alongside the path of movement of the supported shoe so that when the shoe support is lowered, the conformer will yieldably engage the upper and cause it to conform to the shape of the last prior to the movement of the wipers over the bottom of the last.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

'FIGURE 1 is an elevation of the frame of a toe lasting machine with the conformer placed therein;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the conformer;

FIGURE 3 is a partially sectional elevation view of the conformer taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

3,037,222 Patented June 5, 1962 FIGURE 4 is a partially sectional elevation view of the conformer taken along line '44 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 5 is a view of the toothed plate used in adjusting the pivot axis of the pivot arms;

FIGURE 6 is an elevation in section of the conformer yoke, shoe last and toe wiper prior to the movement of the wiper over the insole;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of another species of the conformer;

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the con-former of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an elevation of the conformer of FIG- URE 7 taken along line 9-9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 10 is a view partly in section of the sleeve in the support mm which forms part of the connection between the support arm and the yoke leg; and

FIGURE 11 is a view of the pin forming part of the connection between the support armand yoke leg.

The shoe conformer is illustrated as being used in conjunction with a toe lasting machine of the type shown in Patent No. 2,888,693 granted to Thomas A. Weisz on June 2, 1959 and copending application Serial No. 778,- 188, filed December 4, 1958 in the names of Robert B. Dunlap and Jacob S. Kamborian. The machine includes a frame 10 in which toe wipers 12 are slidably mounted for horizontal movement across the top of a shoe 14 mounted bottom side up on a last 16. The shoe is supported on a shoe support 18, said support being vertically movable to raise the supported shoe 14 towards and away from the plane of movement of the wipers 12. Reference is made to the aforementioned patent and patent application for a disclosure of the mechanism for moving the wipers and lowering and raising the shoe support.

The shoe comprises an upper 20 and an insole 22. The function of the wipers is to gather the upstanding lasting margin 24 of the upper and wipe and fold it over the top of the insole. The wiped lasting margin is secured to the insole by adhesive, tacks, staples or any other appropriate means. It is desirable that, prior to the movement of the wipers across the insole, the upper snugly conforms to the shape of the last so that after the wiping operation, there will be no wrinkles or irregularities in the upper. It is for this purpose that the shoe conformer forming the instant invention has been provided.

The conformer A comprises a yoke 26 made of a flexible deformable material, preferably having a low coefficient of friction so as not to mar the upper. While other suitable materials may be used, Teflon has been found to be the most satisfactory material out of which to fashion the yoke. The yoke 26 is generally U-shaped having a bight 28 and a pair of legs 30 extending away from the bight on opposite sides of the bight. The yoke is mounted on a base 3 2, the base 32 having slots 34 by which it is secured to the frame 10. The yoke 26 is positioned below the wipers 12 and alongside the path of vertical movement of the last-mounted shoe 14 with the bight of the yoke facing the front of the shoe and the legs of the yoke extending along the sides of the shoe.

The base 32 includes a base element 36 adjacent each yoke leg. A recess 38 is provided in each base element 3'6, and a plate 40 is fitted within each recess. Each plate 40 has a slot 42 extending therethrough and the tops of the plate on the opposite sides of the slot have teeth 44. The plates 40 are secured to the base elements 36 by rivets 46. The base elements 36 have slots 58 aligned with the slots 42. Resting on each base element 36 and plate 40 is a pivot arm 48. Each pivot arm has a horizontal arm 50 lying on a base element and plate and a vertical arm 52. Fitted in a hole in each horizontal arm 50 is an internally threaded sleeve 54 having teeth 56 on its lower surface adapted to engage with the teeth on plate 40. The pivot arms 48 are loosely mounted on the sleeves 54 so that they may swing about the sleeves.

Attached to each yoke leg 30 at the ends of the legs remote from bight 28 is a lug 60. A link element 62, having a head 74 and a shaft 70, is pivotally connected to each lug 60 by a pin 64 extending through aligned holes in the lug and the head 74 of each link element. The lower end of each pin projects into a slot 66 provided in the horizontal arm 50 of each pivot arm 48. A hollow tension nut 68 is threaded into each vertical arm 52 for slidably receiving the shaft 70. A compression spring 72 is mounted on each shaft 70 and extends from each tension nut to the head 74 of the associated link element to thereby resiliently urge the legs of the yoke inwardly of the yoke. The end Walls of the slots 66 act as stops limiting the extent the pins 64 may move in the slots.

Threaded in each sleeve 54 is a stud 76. The studs extend through the aligned slots 42 and 58 and below the base elements 36. An arcuate cam 78 having a handle 84 is pivotally connected to the lower end of each stud 76 below base element 36 by a pin 80. The center of curvature of the peripheral edges 82 of the cams are offset from the axes of pins 80. A washer 86 is interposed between each cam and the bottom surface of each base element 36. It can thus be seen that, due to the eccentric or offset mounting of cam 78, swinging of the cam in one direction will cause cam surface 82 to bear against washer 86 and draw stud 76 downwardly to cause the teeth on sleeve 54 to mesh with the teeth on plate 40 and thereby lock sleeve 54 in place. Swinging of the cam in the opposite direction will serve to disengage the teeth. A further disengagement of the teeth may be elfected by rotating the handle 84 to rotate the stud 76 downwardly and then pushing upwardly on the stud.

The base 32 includes a base element 88 outwardly of the yoke and facing the bight of the yoke. Extending upwardly from base element 88 is a bracket 90. A rod 92, having a head 94 threaded thereon, is slidably mounted in a hole in the bracket 90. The rod 92 has a head 96 on the end facing the bight of the yoke. A pin 08 is fixed in the head 96 and extends into a slot 100 in the base element 38. A compression spring 102 extends from the bracket 90 to the head 96 thereby resiliently urging the head towards the bight of the yoke. The slot 100 limits the extent the head 96 may move across the base element 88. The head 96 has a face 104 normally in contact with the exterior surface of the bight of the yoke.

The inwardly facing wall 106 of the yoke 26 has a reentrant portion 108 adjacent its upper end, which is further from the vertical path of movement of the shoe 14 than the portion of wall 106 above and below the reentrant portion. Re-entrant portion 108 has a gradually sloping wall with the center of the re-entrant portion being horizontally furthermost from shoe 14 and last 16.

In the operation of the lasting machine having the improved conformer described above, the last having the shoe upper and insole thereon is placed on the shoe support and the shoe support is initially in a position such that the insole 22 and lasting margin 24 are above the wipers 12 and the conformer A as illustrated in FIG. 3. At this time the side edges of the shoe will overlap the inwardly facing wall 106 of the yoke 26 as indicated by the dot-dash line in FIGURE 2. The shoe is then forced downwardly until the top of the insole 22 is substantially in the same plane as the bottom of the wipers l2. During this downward movement the yoke 26 which is yieldably urged inwardly by springs 72 and 102 will conform to the shape of the last 16 and apply an upwiping force to the upper to cause it to snugly conform to the shape of the last 16. Initially, during this movement of the shoe, the wall 106 of the deformable yoke will be compressed. When the wall 106 can no longer be compressed, the yoke will flex outwardly against the pressure exerted by springs 72 and 102. During this flexing, the pins 64 will slide in slots 66, the pin 3 will slide in slot 100, the pivot arms 48 will swing about the axes of sleeves 54, and the lugs will swing relative to link elements 62 about the axes of pins 64, said axes being transverse to the plane in which the yoke lies. The combined action of the yoke flexing outwardly against the force applied by the springs 72 and 102, and the swinging of the lugs relative to the link elements, and the swinging of the pivot arms 48 carrying springs 72 during this flexing will cause the yoke wall 106 at all times to snugly engage the shoe upper 20 and substantially conform to the shape of the last 16 during the aforementioned downward movement of the last-mounted shoe.

Initially the upper end of the wall 106 of yoke 26 will slope away from the vertical due to re-entrant portion 108 and make a substantially line contact with the shoe as indicated in FIGURE 3. During the downward movement of the shoe the upper end of wall 106 will be flexed outwardly so that at the end of the downward movement of the shoe said upper end will engage the shoe as indicated in FIGURE 6 with substantially no space between said upper end and the shoe, and the shoe upper will be clamped between the upper end of the yoke and the last.

After the shoe has completed its downward movement, the wipers 12 will be moved horizontally to move, fold or wipe the upstanding lasting margin 24 of the upper 20 over the insole 22 by mechanism such as that disclosed in Patent No. 2,888,693 or application Serial No. 778,188, filed December 4, 1958 referred to above. During this horizontal movement the upper 20 is yieldably clamped between the last 16 and the yoke 26.

It sometimes becomes necessary to change the distance between the legs 30 of the yoke, as when the style or size of the shoe to be lasted is changed. This may conveniently be done by swinging handle 84, and if neces sary rotating handle 84 to rotate stud 76 downwardly and then pushing upwardly thereon to disengage teeth 44 and 56. Stud 76 and the pivot arm carried thereby may then be moved lengthwise of slots 42 and 58 until these members have been relocated at a desired position. The teeth 44 and 56 are then caused to mesh by rotating stud 76 and swinging handle 84. The pressure exerted by springs 72 against the yoke legs 30 will not vary by reason of adjusting the position of the pivot arm 48. Should it be desired to adjust the spring tension, this may readily be done by rotating tension nut 68.

The shoe conformer B illustrated in FIGURES 7 through 11 will now be described.

This conformer is located in the lasting machine in the same position relative to the toe wipers and the shoe support as the conformer A described above.

Conformer B is mounted in the frame of the lasting machine. The machine has a roller shoe support 122 rotatably supported in bearings 124. The bearings 124 are mounted on a vertically movable slide 126. Horizontally movable toe wipers (not shown) similar to wipers 12 are provided to wipe or fold the upstanding lasting margin of a last-mounted shoe over the insole while the shoe is supported by the shoe support.

Conformer B comprises a yoke 128 having a bight portion 130 and legs 132 extending away from the bight.

The yoke is preferably of a low coeflicient of friction,

flexible and deformable material similar to the material of yoke 26, and the legs 132 straddle the shoe support 122.

A bracket 136 is secured to the frame 120 on opposite sides of the conformer by screws 137. Secured to each bracket 136 is a slotted guide 138 having gibs 140 secured thereto by screws 142. Slidably mounted in the guideways formed by members 138 and 140 are base elements 144. Depending from each base element 144 is a lug 146 having a threaded hole extending therethrough. A lug 148 having a smooth hole extending therethrough depends from one end of each guide 138. A threaded 'bolt 150 having a handle 152 is threaded into the opening in lug 146 and is rotatable in the hole in lug 148.

Upon rotation of handle 152, lug 146 will move in the slot in guide 13 8 and base element 144 will slide in the guideway formed by members 1 38 and 140.

A sleeve 154 is threaded into each base element 144. A pivot arm 156 is pivotally mounted on each sleeve 154, each pivot a-rm having a vertical arm 158 and a horizontal arm 160.

A support arm 162 is releasably secured to the exterior surface of each yoke leg 132 adjacent the ends of the legs. For effecting this securement, a hole 164 is provided in each support arm 162. A hollow sleeve 166 is providedin a hole in each yoke leg 132, the hole of each sleeve being in alignment with and of substantially the same diameter as a hole 164. A groove 168 is provided in each sleeve 1 66. The groove starts from the wall of the sleeve facing the support arm 162, extends lengthwise of the sleeve and then reverses itself and terminates short of said sleeve wall. A headed shaft 170 is slidable in each of the aligned holes formed in the support arms 162 and sleeves 166. A removable pin 172 extends radially outwardly from each shaft 170, said pins projecting into grooves 168. A coil compression spring 174 is interposed between the head of each shaft 170 and each support arm 162. It will thus be evident that support arm 162 may be secured to yoke leg 132 by placing shaft 170 in the hole 164 and sleeve 166 with pin 172 riding in groove 168. By pushing on the head of shaft 170 against the pressure of spring 17 4, twisting the head and then re-easing the head, the pin 17 2 will ride in groove 1168 until it engages the end of the groove, whereupon the yoke leg 132 and support arm 162 will be locked together. To release the yoke leg and support arm, it is only necessary to reverse the movements of the shaft 17 0.

Each support arm 162 extends outwardly of and alongside one of the yoke legs 132. A lug 176 having arms 180 and 182 is formed at the end of each support arm 162 remote from the bight of yoke 128. A link element 178 is straddled by the arms 180 and 182 and is pivotally connected to each lug by a pin 184. The lower end of each pin 184 is slidable in a groove 186 formed in the horizontal arm 160 of each pivot arm. Each link element has a head 188 and a shaft 190. Each shaft .120 extends through a smooth hole in a tension nut 192 threaded into the vertical arm 158 of each pivot arm 156. A compression spring 194 is coiled around each shaft 190 and extends from the tension nut to the head 188 of the associated link element to thereby resiliently urge the associated support arm 162 and yoke leg 132 inwardly of the yoke. The end walls of each slot 186 cooperate with each pin 184 to limit the extent of movement of each lug 176 relative to each pivot arm 156.

- Facing the bight 130 of yoke 128 is a bracket 196 secured by screws 198 to a base element 200 of frame 120. A head 202 is slidably mounted on base element 200' between bracket 196 and yoke 128. Head 202 has a socket 204 therein facing bracket 196. A stud 206 is threaded in head 202 at the base of socket 204 and faces bracket 196. A tension nut 208 is threaded into bracket 196. A compression spring 210 is coiled around stud 206 and extends from tension nut 208 to the base of socket 204. A screw 2111 is mounted in the framefacing head 20.2 between the yoke 128 and the head. The screw has a bit at its end in which an end wrench can be fitted to adjust the position of the screw. it will thus be seen that spring 210, whose tension can be adjusted by nut 208, resiliently urges head 202 towards shoe support 122 and that screw 211 limits the extent that the head can be moved towards the shoe support.

The end of each support arm 162 adjacent the bight 130 of the yoke 128 is pivotally connected to the head 202 by a pivot pin 212. The bight 130 of the yoke is received in a socket 214 provided in the head 202. The

socket 214 is located between a pair of ledges 216 in which the pins 212 are mounted.

In operation, conformer B is placed in the same posithe position shown in dot-dash lines in FIGURE 7. The

legs of the yoke are resiliently urged against the shoe by springs 194 and the bight of the yoke is resiliently urged against the shoe by spring 210. During downward movement of the shoe past the yoke, the yoke will be flexed outwardly against the pressure exerted by the springs 194 and 210. During such flexing, there will be a swinging of pivot arms 156 on base elements 144 about the axes of sleeves 154, a swinging of support arms 162 relative to head 202 about the axes of pins 212, and a relative swinging of the lugs 176 and link elements 178 about the axes of pins 184, each of said axes being transverse to the plane in which the yoke lies. The swinging of these parts about the vertical axes will cause the yoke to snugly conform to the shape of the last and still be resiliently urged against the shoe during the downward movement of the shoe with a large variety of last shapes and sizes.

Should it be found necessary to alter the spacing between the yoke legs 132 due to a change in shoe size or style, it is merely necessary to rotate handle 152 which will cause guide 144 and the pivot arm 156 carried thereby to be moved.

It is within the purview of the invention to use the shoe conformers in other organizations than that disclosed. For example, instead of having the shoe moving downwardly through the conformer, it would be within the scope of the invention to have the shoe conformer mounted for movement heightwise of the shoe. The shoe conformer could also be used in a box-toe trimming machine to conform the upper to the last prior to trimming the box toe, lining and outer leather at the toe end of the shoe.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Reference is made to copending applications, Serial No. 50,177, filed August 17, 1960, in the names of Jacob S. Kamborian, Charles J. Dyer and Alan G. Baker and Serial No. 90,565, filed February 20, 1961, in the names of Jacob S. Kamborian and Heinz W. Stemmler, which disclose different flexible shoe conformers having the same general purpose, as the shoe conformer of the instant invention.

We claim:

1. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yielda'bly urging said yoke leg inwardly, whereby during relative heightwise movement between the shoe upper and conformer the yoke legs will yieldably engage the shoe upper and each pivot arm may swing about its pivot axis to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of'the last.

2. A flexible shoe conformer in accordance with claim .1 wherein means are provided for adjusting the pivotal axis of each pivot arm towards and away from its associated yoke leg.

3. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, and resilient means for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly, whereby during relative heightwise movement between the shoe upper and conformer the yoke will yieldably engage the shoe upper and each pivot arm may swing about its pivot axis to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last.

4. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and legs on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis substantially transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, and limit stop means for limiting the extent each leg may be moved inwardly under the influence of the resilient means, whereby during relative heightwise movement between the shoe upper and conformer the yoke legs will yieldably engage the shoe upper and each pivot arm may swing about its pivot axis to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last.

5. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and legs on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, limit stop means for limiting the extent each leg may be moved inwardly under the influence of the resilient means, and resilient means for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly, whereby during relative heightwise movement. between the shoe upper and conformer the yoke will yieldably engage the shoe upper and each pivot arm may swing about its pivot axis to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last.

6. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a base element adjacent each yoke leg, a pivot arm pivotally supported on each base element for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a lug extending outwardly from each yoke leg, a link element positioned adjacent each lug, a pin pivotally connecting each lug and link element for relative swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a slot in each pivot arm in which each pin is received, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, the opposite ends of said slots serving to limit the extent of movement of each lug relative to its associated pivot arm, a base element positioned adjacent the bight portion of the yoke, a bracket extending from the base element, a rod having one end slidably mounted in the bracket, a head at the other end of the rod, said head mounted in the base element and positioned to engage the bight of the yoke exteriorly thereof, and a compression spring interposed between the bracket and head for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly, whereby during relative heightwise movement between the shoe upper and conformer the yoke will yieldably engage the shoe upper to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last.

7. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe interiorly thereof,

a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a lug connected to each yoke leg and extending therefrom, a link element pivotally connected to each lug for swinging movement relative thereto about an axis transverse to the yoke, and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, whereby during relative heightwise movement between the shoe upper and conformer, the yoke will yieldably engage the shoe upper to cause the upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last.

8. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a movably mounted block positioned outwardly of the bight of the yoke, a head on the block in contact with the exterior of the bight of the yoke, resilient means yieldably urging said head inwardly of the yoke, a support arm connected to each yoke leg adjacent each pivot arm, a link element pivotally connected to each support arm to permit relative swinging movement between the support arm and link element about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the associated link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, and a pivotal connection between each support arm and the block to permit relative swinging movement therebetween about an axis transverse to the yoke.

9. A flexible shoe conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said conformer being adapted to receive a last-mounted shoe upper interiorly thereof, a bracket facing the bight of the yoke, a slidably mounted head interposed between the bracket and the bight of the yoke, said head having a socket receiving the bight of the yoke, a compression spring extending from the bracket to the head, a base element adjacent each yoke leg, a pivot arm pivotally supported on each base element for swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a support arm pivotally connected to the head on each side of the yoke receiving socket to permit swinging movement relative thereto about an axis transverse to the yoke, each support arm extending alongside of and exteriorly of a leg of the yoke, each support arm being connected to its associated yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, a lug at the end of each support arm remote from the connection to the head, said connections between the support arms and yoke legs being interposed between the head and the associated lug, a link element positioned adjacent each lug, a pin pivotally connecting each lug and link element for relative swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a slot in each pivot arm in which each pin is received and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, the opposite ends of said slots serving to limit the extent of movement of each lug relative to its associated pivot arm.

10. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly.

11. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive the shoe interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounted each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, and resilient means for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly.

12. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and legs on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive the shoe interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, and limit stop means for limiting the extent each leg may be moved inwardly under the influence of the resilient means.

13. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and legs on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive the shoe interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the adjacent yoke leg for yieldably urging said yoke leg inwardly, limit stop means for limiting the extent each leg may be moved inwardly under the influence of the resilient means, and resilient means for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly.

14. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the Wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive the shoe interiorly thereof, a base element adjacent each yoke leg, a pivot arm pivotally supported on each base element for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a lug extending outwardly from each yoke leg, a link element positioned adjacent each lug, a pin pivotally connecting each lug and link element for relative swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a slot in each pivot arm in which each pin is received, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, the opposite ends of said slots serving to limit the extent of movement of each lug relative to its associated pivot arm, a base element positioned adjacent the bight portion of the yoke, a bracket extending from the base element, a rod having one end slidably mounted in the bracket, a head at the other end of the rod, said head being slidably mounted in the base and positioned to engage the bight of the yoke exteriorly thereof, and a compression spring interposed between the bracket and head for yieldably urging the bight of the yoke inwardly.

15. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the Wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a. bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive a last mounted shoe interiorly of the yoke, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mountting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a lug connected to each yoke leg and extending outwardly therefrom, a link element pivotally connected to each lug for swinging movement relative thereto about an axis transverse to the yoke, and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly.

16. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive a last mounted shoe interiorly thereof, a pivot arm positioned exteriorly of the yoke adjacent each yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, means pivotally mounting each pivot arm for movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a movably mounted block positioned outwardly of the bight of the yoke, a head on the block in contact with the exterior of the bight of the yoke, resilient means yieldably urging said head inwardly of the yoke, a support arm connected to each yoke leg adjacent each pivot arm, a link element pivotally connected to each support arm to permit relative swinging movement between the support arm and link element about an axis transverse to the yoke, resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and the associated link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, and a pivotal connection between each support arm and the block to permit relative swinging movement therebetween about an axis transverse to the yoke.

17. In a toe lasting machine for in-wiping the upstanding lasting margin of a shoe upper over the insole of the shoe, said machine including a horizontally movable wiper means and a vertically movable shoe support on which a last with a shoe upper and insole mounted thereon is movable towards and away from the path of movement of the wiper means, the improvement of a flexible shoe conformer positioned below the wiper means and alongside the path of movement of the shoe for causing the shoe upper to snugly conform to the shape of the last during downward movement of the shoe and prior to horizontal movement of the wiper means over the shoe, said conformer comprising a deformable yoke having a bight and a leg on each side of the bight extending away from the bight, said yoke being adapted to receive a last mounted shoe interiorly thereof, a bracket facing the bight of the yoke, a slidably mounted head interposed between the bracket and the bight of the yoke, said head having a socket for receiving the bight of the yoke, a compression spring extending from the bracket to the head, a base element adjacent each yoke leg, a pivot arm pivotally supported on each base element for swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a support arm pivotally connected to the head on each side of the yoke receiving socket to permit swinging movement relative thereto about an axis transverse to the yoke, each support arm extending alongside of and exteriorly of a leg of the yoke, each support arm being connected to its associated yoke leg at a point remote from the bight, a lug on the end of each support arm remote from the connection to the head, said connections between the support arms and yoke legs being interposed between the head and the associated lug, a link element positioned adjacent each lug, a

pin pivotally connecting each lug and link element for relative swinging movement about an axis transverse to the yoke, a slot in each pivot arm in which each pin is received, and resilient means interposed between each pivot arm and each link element for yieldably urging the associated yoke leg inwardly, the opposite ends of said slots serving to limit the extent of movement of each lug relative to its associated pivot arm.

18. A shoe conforming apparatus comprising: a deformable yoke having a bight and a pair of legs extending forwardly of the bight on opposite sides of the bight; a head located rearwardly of the yoke; means on the head for supporting the bight of the yoke; a support arm extending alongside each yoke leg exteriorly thereof; means connecting each support arm to a yoke leg; means pivotally mounting each support arm on the head for swinging movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the yoke; and spring means connected to said support arms to yieldably urge them toward each other about their pivots.

19. A shoe conforming apparatus comprising: a deformable yoke having a bight and a pair of legs extending forwardly of the bight on opposite sides of the bight; a frame; a head slidably mounted in the frame; spring means yieldably urging the head forwardly in the frame; stop means for limiting the extent of movement of the head under the influence of the spring means; means on the head for supporting the bight of said yoke; and support means on said head connected to the legs of said yoke.

.20. A shoe conforming apparatus comprising: a deformable yoke having a bight and a pair of legs extending forwardly of the bight on opposite sides of the bight; a frame; a head slidably mounted in the frame; spring means yieldably urging the head forwardly in the frame; stop means for limiting the extent of movement of the head under the influence of the spring means; means on the head for supporting the bight of said yoke; a pair of support arms on said head extending forwardly of said head and alongside said yoke legs; and means connecting said support arms to said yoke legs.

21. A shoe conforming apparatus comprising: a deformable yoke having a bight and a pair of legs extending forwardly of the bight on opposite sides of the bight; a frame; a head slidably mounted in the frame; spring means yieldably urging the head forwardly in the frame; stop means for limiting the extent of forward movement of the head under the influence of the spring means; means on the head for supporting the bight of said yoke; a. pair of support arms pivotally mounted on said head and extending alongside said yoke legs exteriorly of said yoke; means connecting each support arm to a yoke leg; and spring means connected to said support arms to yieldably urge them toward each other about their pivots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

